Craig Ponder will start his pro career in England. (StarNews File Photo)

Craig Ponder will start his pro career with the Reading Rockets of the English Basketball League. The former UNCW guard signed his contract last week and just needs to secure his visa to finalize the plan. He expects to leave for England on Aug. 29.

“Even though it’s not like a super league overseas or the NBA, it’s still a start,” Ponder said. “I couldn’t be more proud of myself and thankful for everyone who’s helped me along the way.”

Ponder’s UNCW career started with some of the bleakest times in program history and finished in the NCAA Tournament. The West Virginia native played in a program-record 130 games over five seasons and finished 12th on the all-time scoring list with 1,160 points. He averaged 11.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 44 percent shooting last season to help the Seahawks win 25 games and a Colonial Athletic Association Tournament title. (Read more about his long-standing relationship with coach Kevin Keatts here.)

In preparation, Ponder has already chatted with Appalachian State grad Noah Brown, who has spent time with the Rockets. He expects he’ll have to make adjustments in his daily life but not as many as if he’d ended up in other foreign outposts.

Ponder’s bigger concern is what happens on the court. He’ll likely be in a role in which he’s asked to alternately set up others as point guard and create offense for himself. He’ll continue his dogged regimen until then to make sure he puts his best foot forward in his pro debut.

“I can’t be complacent and slack up on my work ethic now that I know I have a deal,” Ponder said. “I’ve got to keep working as if I didn’t have one.”